As the countdown ticks toward the 17th annual Colorado State University Pueblo Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony on October 16, 2026, shared stories and deep-rooted connections continue to define the incoming class. Among the prominent figures entering the Hall this fall are former standout football players and coaches Scott Gallas and John Trahan – two men whose paths through ThunderWolves history and high school coaching have come full circle.
In a recent interview for “Pack Pride: Kenna’s Hall of Fame Konversations” hosted by sophomore soccer player Kenna Snyder [00:00], Trahan looked back on his journey from a determined walk-on to a celebrated honoree [07:12]. But it was during the final moments of the conversation [25:50] that Trahan turned his praise toward his fellow inductee and longtime coaching colleague, Scott Gallas [25:57].
Hearing the Legend First
Trahan’s awareness of Gallas dates back decades to his own playing days at Southern Colorado. Long before they coached side by side, Trahan heard the lore surrounding Gallas’s stellar career as a center for the program [26:27].
“I heard all the stories about this great offensive lineman that they had down there,” Trahan recalled [26:35], noting how teammates and coaches alike routinely spoke of Gallas’s tenacity and leadership on the gridiron.
Years later, those collegiate legends turned into real-world camaraderie when the two educators and coaches worked together at Smoky Hill High School in the Denver area [26:18], alongside stints at other high school programs including Montbello and Highlands Ranch.
A Different Kind of Line Coach
Stepping onto the coaching staff alongside Gallas gave Trahan a firsthand look at the qualities that made his peer exceptional. While offensive line coaches are famously known across the sport for high-intensity, fiery demeanors, Gallas brought a remarkably different philosophy to the sideline [27:05].
“Scott was just the opposite,” Trahan shared [27:12]. “He’s a teacher. He communicated with young people, he embraced the young people all the time, and he understood how tough and challenging it could be.”
Watching Gallas interact with high school athletes left a lasting impression on Trahan [27:30]. Rather than relying purely on volume or intimidation, Gallas anchored his coaching in genuine mentorship, patience, and mutual respect.
Bringing Full Circle Recognition
That mutual respect ultimately sparked the initiative to nominate Gallas for the CSU Pueblo Athletics Hall of Fame [27:53]. Trahan recalled speaking with Gallas’s brother, Dan Gallas—who had served as an offensive line coach during Trahan’s own playing days in Pueblo [27:41]—about honoring Scott’s lifelong contributions to the game and his players.
When Trahan reached out to former teammates and legendary mentors across the pack community—including Bill Gower, Mick McCall, and Coach Friedman—the response was unanimous [28:08]. To a man, everyone agreed that Gallas belonged in the university’s highest tier of recognition [28:08].
“We never know what our future is in life,” Trahan reflected, “but I thought that by nominating him—and it’s a well-deserved honor—it could be a great, great moment for him at this stage in his life [28:17].”
Standing Together on October 16
When Trahan and Gallas take their places at the Occhiato Student Center Ballroom on October 16, 2026, their joint induction will celebrate much more than individual statistics. It will honor a shared lineage of character, resilience, and quiet leadership that links the past eras of Southern Colorado athletics with the enduring spirit of Pack Nation.
To watch the full interview and hear more insights from John Trahan’s conversation with Kenna Snyder, view the video on the Colorado Collegiate Chronicle YouTube channel: John Trahan is interviewed about his induction into the CSU Pueblo Athletics Hall of Fame, Oct. 16.
